Parallel rail arrangement and coupling mechanism therefor



J. H. JANSSEN Feb. 4, 1964 PARALLEL RAIL ARRANGEMENT AND COUPLING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 18, 1961 United States Patent 3,120,386 PARALLEL RAIL ANGEMENT AND CQUPLHNG MECHANEE'BM THEREFOR .lacohus H. Janssen, Mierlo-Hout, North Brabant, Netherlands, assignor to NV. l anssen 8e Fritsen, t-Hout-Helmond, Netherlands Filed Aug. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 133,017 11 Claims. ((31. 272-63) This invention relates to parallel rail arrangements and to coupling mechanisms therefor. This application is a continuationda-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 785,475, filed January 7, 1959, now abandoned.

The invention relates more particularly to parallel bars in which the bars or rails are adapted for being vertically displaced, as well as adjustably spaced.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved parallel bar arangement.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for adjusting the spacing between parallel bars.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement whereby the height or" a parallel bar arrangement can be adjusted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling means for coupling a bar to an associated support.

In various parallel bar structures, there is employed a pin and hole arrangement by means of which the height of a bar relative to a frame is adjusted. This pin and hole arrangement is generally employed also to provide for rotation of a rod which supports the bar and therefore is capable of adjusting the spacing of the bar relative to another parallel bar.

The use of the pin for both height adjustment and for the rotational operation indicated above frequently leads to a weakening of the pin which is undesirable. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to avoid the deficiencies inherent in such an arrangement.

In accordance with the invention, there is contemplated, for example, a frame having four vertically disposed hollow columns, there being parallel and horizontal rails or bars operativeiy disposed above respective pairs of these columns.

In accordance with a conventional arrangement, vertical pins may be connected to the rails with gooseneck members defining vertical openings in which the pins are rotatably accommodated.

In accordance with the invention, lengthening rods are coupled to the gooseneck members and extend into the columns. Furthermore, clamping sleeves are provided which encircle respective of the rods and extend at least in part into the aforenoted columns.

The sleeves are provided with axially disposed slots and are therefore adapted for clampingly engaging the associated rods. The columns include shoulders to support the sleeves.

A clamping bracket is provided for each rod and includes a first portion encircling the associated rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to the first portion and encircling the associated sleeve. The

second portion also defines a radial slot and is thus adapted for clamping the associated sleeve against the associated rod.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a handle is provided in the slot of each of the abovenoted second portions and is pivotally connected to the associated second portion for movement between, for example, vertical and horizontal positions. Each handle includes means to cause the clamping of the associated sleeve around the associated rod with the handle in rest $329,385 Patented Pole. 4, 196

position and to release the associated sleeve with the handle in horizontal position, whereat the handle is further adapted for rotating the bracket.

In further accordance with the invention, each of the rods is provided with a cam surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod and a block is provided on each bracket to engage the associated surface to lock the bracket and associated rod rota tively while permitting axial displacement therebetween.

Moreover, each rod is provided with axially spaced openings distributed along the associated surface and a safety catch is provided in the slot of the first portion of each bracket for engaging the said opening selectively to lock said rod and bracket against relative axial displacement.

Finally, in accordance with the invention, each handle and associated catch is independently operable.

The above objects of the invention and the details thereof will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a parallel bar arrangement contemplated in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates on enlarged scale a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 embodying the improvements of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an axial section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatical view similar to that of FIG. 4 and illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

In FIGURES 1 and 2 are shown a pair of parallel horizontal bars or rails 10 each supported, as will be shown in greater detail hereinafter, on a frame 12.

The frame 12 supports a plurality of vertical and horizontal columns 14, these columns being hollow in order to accommodate the penetration of lengthening rods 16.

Atop each of rods 16 is a gooseneck member 18 provided with a vertically disposed bore (not shown) to ccommodate a vertical pin 20 connected by a bracket 22 to the associated rail Ill.

The apparatus is provided, for each of the rods 16, with a coupling mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 24 in FIG. 2.

The elements of the coupling mechanism 24 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as in FIG. 5, in which a further embodiment of the invention is shown.

In FIGS. 35 is shown the column 14 with a rod 16 penetrating into the same. Resting on top of the column 14 is the coupling mechanism 24.

The column 14 is a generally cylindrical, hollow member made either of a suitably strong material such as steel or the like. The rod 16 is a generally cylindrical member also fabricated from a suitably strong material. The rod in deviates from the perfectly cylindrical shape in a manner which will be hereinafter indicated in greater detail and which constitutes a feature of the invention.

Within the column 14 is provided a shoulder 26. This shoulder is intended to support a generally cylindrical compressible sleeve 28 provided with a slot 36. Sleeve 28 constitutes a means for clampingly engaging the asso ciated rod 16.

Coupling member or clamping bracket 24 generally comprises two axially related portions 32 and 34. Portion 32 is provided with a central bore and encircles the rod 16 alone. This bore continues through the portion 34 which encircles the upper portion of sleeve 28 extend- J ing out of column 14, the upwardly extending portion of sleeve 28 further engaging around the rod 16. Thus, coupling member 24, through the intermediary of its portion 34, is adapted to clamp sleeve 2;? against rod 16.

For this purpose, portion 34 is provided with a radially extending slot 36 wherein is mounted a handle 38 on a pivot 46 by which portion 34 may be selectively clamped around sleeve 23 As the handle is moved about pivot 4-3 a variation in the opening of slot 36 is caused which in turn causes clamping or releasing of the portion 34 around sleeve 28. This can be accomplished by conven tional means (not shown). As handle 33 is moved to a position causing closing of slot 36, clamping action of sleeve 28 against rod 16 is effected, where as when hantile 38 is moved to a position causing opening of slot 36 the sleeve 28 is released from rod 16. It is to be understood that when portion 34 is clamped about sleeve 2-3 a generally local engagement is obtained therebetween, however, sleeve 28 extends a distance below portion 34 between rod 16 and column 14. Since sleeve 28 is provided with slot 36 along its length effective clamping will be obtained between sleeve 23 and rod 16 in the region of column 14. Furthermore, sleeve 28 serves as a spacer to align rod 16 in column 14. This is of particular advantage when the relative axial position of rod 16 in column 14 is adjusted since sleeve 28 will allow only an axial movement of rod 16 and will prevent rocking of the rod 16 in the column 14.

The movement of handle 33 is indicated by dotted lines and reference numeral 38', it thus being appreciated that the handle is displaceable between two positions in one of which portion 34 is clamped around sleeve 28 and in the other of which this clamping relationship is released.

It is to be appreciated that when the handle 38 is in its horizontal position the clamping function is terminated so that the handle can simultaneously serve as a means to rotate the coupling mechanism 24.

The upper portion 32 of clamping mechanism 24 is also provided with a radial slot generally designated by reference numeral 44. In this slot is pivotally mounted a safety catch 46 on a pivot pin 48. The purpose of the safety catch 46 will become hereinafter apparent and it is sufficient at this time to appreciate that a pivotal movement of safety catch 46 is independent of that of the handle 38.

The rod 16 is, in accordance with the invention, provided with a cam surface 50 in the periphery thereof. In FIG. 4 this cam surface takes the form of a groove Stla, whereas in FIG. this surface takes the form of a fiat axially extending surface 50b.

Engagement with this surface in a manner which will be detailed next below enables the coupling mechanism 24 to be fixed rotatively to rod 16 while permitting an axial displacement in a relative sense between these members.

For purposes of engaging said camming surface, the member 24- is provided in the portion 32 thereof with a block or other such means 52 which either engages in the groove 59:: or abuts in sliding fashion against the surface Sfib, whereby, it will be appreciated, member 24 is rotatively locked to rod 16.

In this camming surface there are provided a series of axially spaced holes 54, the purpose of which is to accommodate the nose 56 of safety catch 46 when the lattcr is properly pivoted. Engagement of nose 56 in one of the holes 54 selectively locks member 24 to the rod 16 in an axial sense so that the rod 16 is supported in position.

It will be appreciated with respect to safety catch 46 that an upward movement of the rod 16 relative to member 24 automatically causes a release of the safety catch 46, whereas for a downward movement of rod 16 a manual release of this safety catch is required.

When it is desired to elevate a bar or rail relative to the associated column 14, this is simply a matter of 4 raising the associated columns 14, the associated safety catch 46 releasing automatically and subsequently engaging in one of the holes 54 according to the desired elevation of the parallel bar or bars.

When it is desired, through the intermediary of goosenecl; members 18, to change the spacing of the bars 10, a rotation of rods 16 is required.

Since each rod 16 may be rotatively coupled to the associated member 24, and the member 24 rotated by virtue of its connection with a handle 33, the spacing of the bars 16 is facilitated.

However, in accordance with the invention, the rotative movement is not effected through the safety catch 46 which, instead, almost solely supports the associated rod 16, the rotative movement instead being effected by the means 52 and the associated cam surface 50.

This has the result of taking a substantial amount of strain off the safety catches 46, the longevity of which is consequently improved to a greater extent over the equivalent members in the structures known heretofore.

It will thus be seen that in accordance with the invention there is provided an improved parallel bar or rail arrangement having a greatly improved coupling mechanism provided for the raising and spacing of parallel bars.

Many modifications and variations of the structures set forth above will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. These modifications and variations will not, however, depart from the scope of the invention it defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising a hollow column, a hollow compressible sleeve in part within said column, a rod in said sleeve and defining a cam surface with axially spaced holes therein, a bracket encircling said rod and sleeve, means to clamp said bracket around said sleeve and thus said sleeve around said rod, and said means being adapted also to rotate said bracket, means on said bracket to engage said holes selectively to lock said bracket and said rod against relative axial displacement, and means on said bracket in engagement with said surface to lock said rod and bracket rotatively together while permitting relative axial movement therebetween.

2. Apparatus comprising a hollow column, a hollow compressible sleeve in part within said column, a rod in said sleeve and defining an axially extending fiat surface with axially spaced holes therein, said rod extending out of said sleeve, a bracket encircling said rod and sleeve, means to clamp said bracket around said sleeve and also to rotate said bracket, means on said bracket to engage said holes selectively to lock said bracket and said rod against relative axial displacement, and means on said bracket in engagement with said surface to lock said rod and bracket rotatively together while permitting relative axial movement therebetween.

3. In combination with a hollow column: a compressible sleeve in part within said column, a rod in said sleeve and defining an axially extending groove with axially spaced holes therein, said rod extending out of said sleeve, a bracket encircling said rod and sleeve, means to clamp said bracket around said sleeve and also to rotate said bracket, a safety catch on said bracket to engage said holes selectively to lock said bracket and said rod against relative axial displacement, and means on said bracket in engtgement with said groove to lock said rod and bracket rotatively together while permitting relative axial movement therebetween, the first said means and safety catch being independently operable.

4. In combination with a hollow column: a hollow sleeve in part within said column, a rod in said sleeve and defining a surface with axially spaced holes therein, said rod extending out of said sleeve, a bracket encircling said rod and sleeve, means to clamp said bracket around said sleeve and also to rotate said bracket, 0. safety catch on said bracket to engage said holes selectively to lock said bracket and said rod against relative axial displacement, and means on said bracket in engagement with said surface to lock said rod and bracket rotatively together while permitting relative axial movement therebetween, the first said means and safety catch being independent- 1y operable.

5. Apparatus comprising a hollow column, a hollow compressible sleeve in part within said column, a rod in said sleeve and defining an axially extending fiat surface with axially spaced holes therein, saidrod extending out of said sleeve, a bracket encircling said rod and said rod and sleeve at axially spaced positions, means to clamp said bracket around said sleeve and also to rotate said bracket, a safety catch on said bracket to engage said holes selectively to lock said bracket and said rod against relative axial displacement, and a block on said bracket in engagement with said surface to lock said rod and bracket rotatively together While permitting relative axial movement therebetween, said means and safety catch being independently operable.

6. Apparatus comprising vertically disposed hollow columns, a rail operatively disposed with respect to said columns, rods coupled to said rail and extending into said columns, clamping sleeves encircling said rods and extending in part into said columns, a clamping bracket for each rod and in part encircling the associated rod alone and in part encircling the associated sleeve and rod, means to cause said bracket to clamp the associated sleeve around the associated rod and to release said associated sleeve, said means being adapted for rotating said bracket, each of said rods being provided with a cam surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, means on each bracket to engage said surface to lock each bracket and associated rod rotatively while permitting axial displacement therebetween, each said rod further being provided with spaced openings distributed along the associated surface, and means on each bracket for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the associated rod and bracket against axial displacement.

7. Apparatus comprising a hollow column, a rail operatively disposed with respect to said column, a rod coupled to said rail and extending into said column, a sleeve encircling said rod and extending at least in part into said column, a clamping bracket including a first portion encircling said rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to said first portion and encircling said sleeve and rod, the second portion also defining a radial slot and being thus adapted for clamping said sleeve against said rod, a handle in the slot of said second portion and being pivotally connected to the second portion for movement between first and second positions, said handle including means to cause clamping of the sleeve around the rod with the handle in one position and to release said sleeve with the handle in the other position wherein the handle is adapted for rotating said bracket, said rod being provided with a cam surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, a block on said bracket to engage said surface to lock said bracket and rod rotatively while permitting axial displacement therebetween, said rod further being provided with axially spaced openings distributed along the associated surface, and a safety catch in the slot of the first portion of said bracket and pivoted to the latter for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the rod and bracket against axial displacement, each handle and associated catch being independently pivotal.

8. Apparatus comprising vertically disposed hollow columns, parallel and horizontal rails operatively d-isposed above said columns, rods coupled to said rails and extending into said columns, clamping sleeves encircling respective of said rods and extending in part into said columns, a clamping bracket for each rod and including a first portion encircling the associated rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to said first portion and encircling the associated sleeve, the second portion also defining a radial slot and being thus adapted for clamping the associated sleeve, a handle in the slot of each second portion and being pivotally connected to the associated second portion for movement between first and second positions, each said handle including means to cause clamping of the associated sleeve around the associated rod with the handle in said first position and to release said associated sleeve with the handle in said sec ond position whereby the handle is adapted for rotating said bracket, each of said rods being provided with a surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, means on each bracket to engage said surface to lock each bracket and associated rod rotatively while permitting axial displacement therebetween, each said rod further being provided with axially spaced openings distributed along the associated surface, and a safety catch in the slot of the first portion of each bracket and pivoted to the latter for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the associated rod and bracket against axial displacement, each handle and associated catch being independently pivotal.

9. In a parallel bar arrangement: a frame, four vertically disposed hollow columns on said frame, parallel and horizontal rails operatively disposed above respective pairs of said columns, vertical pins connected to said rails, gooseneck members defining vertical openings in which said pins are rotatably accommodated, lengthening rods fixedly coup-led to said gooseneck members and extending into said columns, clamping sleeves encircling respective of said rods and extending at least in part into said columns, said sleeves being provided with axially disposed slots and being therefore adapted for clampingly engaging the associated rods, said columns including shoulders to support said sleeves, a clamping bracket for each rod and including a first portion encircling the associated rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to said first portion and encircling the associated sleeve, the second portion also defining a radial slot and being thus adapted for clamping the associated sleeve, a handle in the slot of each second portion and being pivotally connected to the associated second portion for movement between vertical and horizontal positions, each said handle including means to cause clamping of the associated sleeve around the associated rod with the handle in rest position and to release said associated sleeve with the handle in active position whereby the handle is adapted for rotating said bracket, each of said rods being provided with an axially extending groove with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, a block on each bracket to engage said groove to lock each bracket and associated rod rotatively while permitting axial displacement therebetween, each said rod further being provided with axially spaced openings distributed Within the associated groove, and a safety catch in the slot lOf the first portion of each bracket and pivoted to the latter for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the associated rod and bracket against axial displacement.

10. In a parallel bar arrangement: a frame, four vertically disposed hollow columns on said frame, parallel and horizontal rails operatively disposed above respective pairs of said columns, vertical pins connected to said rails, gooseneck members defining vertical openings in which said pins are rotatably accommodated, lengthening rods fixedly coupled to said gooseneck members and extending into said columns, clamping sleeves encircling respective of said rods and extending at least in part into said columns, said sleeves being provided with axially disposed slots and being therefore adapted for clampingly engaging to associated rods, said columns including shoulders to support said sleeves, a clamping bracket for each rod and including a first portion encircling the associated rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to said first portion and encircling the associated sleeve, the second portion also defining a radial slot and being thus adapted for clamping the associated sleeve, a handle in the slot of each second portion and being pivotally connected to the associated second portion for movement between vertical and horizontal positions, each said handle including means to cause clamping of the as sociated sleeve around the associated rod with the handle in rest position and to release said associated sleeve with the handle in active position whereby the handle is adapted for rotating said bracket, each of said rods being provided with a fiat, axially extending surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, a block on each bracket to engage said surface to lock each bracket and associated rod rotatively while permitting axial displacement therebetween, each said rod further being provided with axially spaced openings distributed along the associated surface, and a safety catch in the slot of the first portion of each bracket and pivoted to the latter for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the associated rod and bracket against axial displacement.

11. A parallel bar arrangement comprising a frame, four vertically disposed hollow columns on said frame, parallel and horizontal rails operatively disposed above respective pairs of said columns, vertical pins connected to said rails, gooseneck members defining vertical openings in which said pins are rotatably accommodated, lengthening rods fixedly coupled to said gooseneck members and extending into said columns, clamping sleeves encircling respective of said rods and extending at least in part into said columns, said sleeves being provided with axially disposed slots and being therefore adapted for clampingly engaging the associated rods, said columns including shoulders to support said sleeves, a clamping bracket for each rod and including a first portion encircling the associated rod and defining a radial slot and a second portion connected to said first portion and encircling the associated sleeve, the second portion also defining a radial slot and being thus adapted for clamping the associated sleeve, a handle in the slot of each second portion and being pivotally connected to the associated second portion for movement between vertical and hori- Zontal positions, each said handle including means to cause clamping of the associated sleeve around the associated rod with the handle in rest position and to release said associated sleeve With the handle in active position whereby the handle is adapted for rotating said bracket, each of said rods being provided with a peripheral cam surface with which engagement can be made to control rotation of the rod, a block on each bracket to engage said surface to lock each bracket and associated rod rotativcly While permitting axial displacement therebetween, each said rod further being provided with axially spaced openings distributed along the associated surface, and a safety catch in the slot of the first portion of each bracket and pivoted to the latter for engaging selectively in said openings to lock the associated rod and bracket against axial displacement, each handle and associated catch being independently pivotal.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 

1. APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOLLOW COLUMN, A HOLLOW COMPRESSIBLE SLEEVE IN PART WITHIN SAID COLUMN, A ROD IN SAID SLEEVE AND DEFINING A CAM SURFACE WITH AXIALLY SPACED HOLES THEREIN, A BRACKET ENCIRCLING SAID ROD AND SLEEVE, MEANS TO CLAMP SAID BRACKET AROUND SAID SLEEVE AND THUS SAID SLEEVE AROUND SAID ROD, AND SAID MEANS BEING ADAPTED ALSO TO ROTATE SAID BRACKET, MEANS ON SAID BRACKET TO ENGAGE SAID HOLES SELECTIVELY TO LOCK SAID BRACKET AND SAID ROD AGAINST RELATIVE AXIAL DISPLACEMENT, AND MEANS ON SAID BRACKET IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SURFACE TO LOCK SAID ROD AND BRACKET ROTATIVELY TOGETHER WHILE PERMITTING RELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN. 